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April 2008 Newsletter
by Beth Ley, Ph.D.
www.blpublications.com
NHL Ministries
IN THE NEWS
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Vaccines and Autism - Some Victory at Last
Earlier this month government health officials conceded that childhood vaccines worsened a rare,
underlying disorder that ultimately led to autism-like symptoms in a Georgia girl, and that she
should be paid from a federal vaccine-injury fund. Medical and legal experts say the narrow
wording and circumstances probably make the case an exception -- not a precedent for thousands
of other pending claims. The government "has not conceded that vaccines cause autism," said
Linda Renzi, the lawyer representing federal officials, who have consistently maintained that
childhood shots are safe.
However, parents and advocates for autistic children see the case as a victory that may help
certain others. Although the science on this is very limited, the girl's disorder may be more
common in children with autism than in healthy ones.
"It's a beginning," said Kevin Conway, a Boston, Massachusetts, lawyer representing more than
1,200 families with vaccine injury claims. "Each case is going to have to be proved on its
individual merits. But it shows to me that the government has conceded that it's biologically
plausible for a vaccine to cause these injuries. They've never done it before."
Nearly 5,000 families are seeking compensation for autism or other developmental disabilities
they say are caused by vaccines and a mercury-based preservative, thimerosal. It once was
commonly used to prevent bacterial contamination but since 2001 has been used only in certain
flu shots. Some cases contend that the cumulative effect of many shots given at once may have
caused injuries.
The cases are before a special "vaccine court" that doles out cash from a fund Congress set up to
pay people injured by vaccines and to protect makers from damages as a way to help ensure an
adequate vaccine supply. The burden of proof is lighter than in a traditional court, and is based on
a preponderance of evidence. Since the fund started in 1988, it has paid roughly 950 claims --
none for autism.
Studies repeatedly have discounted any link between thimerosal and autism, but legal challenges
continue. The issue even cropped up in the presidential campaign, with Republican John McCain
asserting on Friday that "there's strong evidence" autism is connected to the preservative.
The five vaccines the girl received on one day in 2000 aggravated her mitochondrial condition,
predisposing her to metabolic problems that manifested as worsening brain function "with features
of autism spectrum disorder." In the 1990s, the definition of autism was expanded to take in a
group of milder, related conditions, which are known as autism spectrum disorders. The document
does not address whether it was the thimerosal -- or something else entirely in the vaccines -- that
was at fault.
A Portuguese study suggested that 7% of autistic children might also have the mitochondrial
disorder, versus one in 5,000 people -- or 0.02 percent -- in the general population, said Dr.
Marvin Natowicz, a Cleveland Clinic geneticist.
Bacteria Mix in Guts of Babies Predicts Obesity
Findings may explain why breast-fed infants less likely to be overweight later
The mix of bacteria in a baby's gut may predict whether that infant will become overweight or
obese later in life, a new study suggests. Babies with high numbers of bifidobacteria and low
numbers of Staphylococcus aureus may be protected from excess weight gain, according to a
team of researchers from the University of Turku in Finland. Their study was published in the March
issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The researchers suggested their findings may help explain why breast-fed babies are at lower risk
for later obesity, since bifidobacteria are prevalent in the guts of breast-fed babies. Other studies
repeatedly have found that being breast-fed is associated with a reduced risk of excess weight or
obesity in childhood, with the risk lowered from 13 to 22%.
In the new study, researchers evaluated children who had been part of a long-term study to
evaluate the effect of probiotics on allergic disease. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in
foods such as yogurt and in dietary supplements.The children had been evaluated at birth, five
more times before age 2, and then again at ages 4 and 7. The researchers in the original study
had also tested for intestinal microbes in fecal samples collected at 6 months and 12 months.
For this latest study, the Finnish researchers selected 49 participants from the larger study -- 25 of
them were overweight or obese at age 7 years, and 24 were normal weight at the same age.
Fecal samples showed the average bacterial counts of bifidobacteria were twice as high in those
who were a healthy weight as in those who got heavy.Those who stayed at a healthy weight also
had lower fecal S. aureus levels than did those who got heavy. The S. aureus may
trigger low-grade inflammation, the authors speculated, and that may also contribute to developing
obesity.
In other research, gut bacteria in adults have been found to be altered in obese adults who lost
weight. Someday, the Finnish researchers speculated, tinkering with gut flora may help prevent or
treat obesity.
The latest study doesn't pinpoint exactly why intestinal bacteria are linked with the development of
obesity, said Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis
and president of the American Dietetic Association. "The exact role that bacteria in the intestine
play in development of obesity is still the subject of much research," she said, "but the benefits of
breast-feeding are clear. Breast-feeding provides not only the proper nutrition for your infant, but it
provides benefits that may impact long-term health and weight issues as well."
Dr. Beth's Comment: It is known that antibiotic use causes weight gain... so we really shouldn't
be too surprised at these new findings. However, it's always nice to get confirmation of things we
already know. My advice if you are struggling with weight problems and have a history of antibiotic
use; eat lots of plain yogurt and supplement (est. 30 CFU) of probiotics every day!
Prescription drugs found in drinking water across U.S.
• Investigation finds pharmaceuticals in drinking water of 41 million Americans
• Concentrations are minute; utilities say water is safe
• Low-level drug combinations found to impact human cells, wildlife
• Bottlers, some of who repackage tap water, do not typically treat, test for drugs
MAP: Which states had what drugs.
Click on pin.
(AP) -- "A vast array of pharmaceuticals -- including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers
and sex hormones -- have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million
Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows...The presence of so many prescription
drugs -- and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen -- in so much of our
drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human
health...How do the drugs get into the water? People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the
medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is
treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed
again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not
remove all drug residue. And while researchers do not yet understand the exact risks from
decades of persistent exposure to random combinations of low levels of pharmaceuticals, recent
studies -- which have gone virtually unnoticed by the general public -- have found alarming effects
on human cells and wildlife."
Over the past five years, the number of U.S. drug prescriptions rose 12% to a record 3.7
billion, while nonprescription drug purchases held steady around 3.3 billion, according to IMS
Health and The Nielsen Co.
Medications not all absorbed
"People think that if they take a medication, their body absorbs it and it disappears, but of course
that's not the case," said EPA scientist Christian Daughton, one of the first to draw attention to the
issue of pharmaceuticals in water in the United States.
Some drugs, including widely used cholesterol fighters, tranquilizers and anti-epileptic
medications, resist modern drinking water and wastewater treatment processes. Plus, the EPA
says there are no sewage treatment systems specifically engineered to remove pharmaceuticals.
Mary Buzby, director of environmental technology for drug maker Merck & Co. Inc.: "There's no
doubt about it, pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment and there is genuine
concern that these compounds, in the small concentrations that they're at, could be causing
impacts to human health or to aquatic organisms." Recent laboratory research has found that
small amounts of medication have affected human embryonic kidney cells, human blood cells and
human breast cancer cells. The cancer cells proliferated too quickly; the kidney cells grew too
slowly; and the blood cells showed biological activity associated with inflammation.
Wildlife problems troubling
Pharmaceuticals in waterways are damaging wildlife across the nation and around the globe,
research shows. Notably, male fish are being feminized, creating egg yolk proteins, a process
usually restricted to females. Pharmaceuticals also are affecting sentinel species at the foundation
of the pyramid of life -- such as earthworms in the wild and zooplankton in the laboratory, studies
show.
So much is unknown. Many independent scientists are skeptical that trace concentrations will
ultimately prove to be harmful to humans. There's growing concern in the scientific community,
though, that certain drugs -- or combinations of drugs -- may harm humans over decades because
water, unlike most specific foods, is consumed in sizable amounts every day.
Our bodies may shrug off a relatively big one-time dose, yet suffer from a smaller amount
delivered continuously over a half century, perhaps subtly stirring allergies or nerve damage.
Pregnant women, the elderly and the very ill might be more sensitive.
Broccoli and Company vs. Cancer and Aging
Good article on more Research that links broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous
vegetables to protection from common cancers and from age-accelerating free radicals
VitalChoice
IN BETH'S KITCHEN
Check out Beth's book, Recipes for Life
SCRIPTURE
To follow Jesus requires that we deny ourselves and give up our own lives. Then to deny
ourselves means we have given up what we want in order to pursue what He wants. It's not that we
are willing to, but that we actually have.
Psalms (37:4) says Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
What does it mean to delight thyself in the Lord?
Go to your secret place... He is waiting for you.
Sit quiety in His presense... He wants to tell you something.
Look for Him in the little things... and take joy.
The other morning after a fresh snow I came walking down the driveway to take my dalmation KC
for her morning walk. It was still early so there was not alot of activity in the neighborhood yet.
When I got to the end of the driveway I could see two hearts side by side touching in the snow on
the street. Apparently, when the neighbor accross the street had left earlier he had turned around
in the road creating these two hearts with his tire tracks right in front of my driveway. When I saw
the hearts I felt like God had delivered a personal valentine to me. A huge one too! I thanked Him
for the reminder of how much He loves me and how special I really am.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalms 34:4)
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1)
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UPCOMING EVENTS!
Mark May 2-3, 2008 down on your calendars!
Dr. Beth will be speaking at the Healing Rooms International Conference with Rev.
Elaine Bonn at Redeeming Love Church in Maplewood, MN. Hope to see you all there!
More info next month!
The Woman Experience Presents: The Simplied Life: Harmony in Food, Family and Finance:
Willmar Conference Center
Mark June 7th down as well.
Dr. Beth will be speaking at the Woman's Conference in Willmar, MN
For more info call:
320-291-5297
or 320-220-0795
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NUTRITION COUNSELING
with Dr. Beth now available in TWIN CITIES.
Available:
In Golden Valley, call 763-391-7636
For more info click here
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QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
Q and A:
Send in your questions... there's a good chance
other's would like to hear the answer too.
contact us by e-mail at
bley@blpublications.com | |
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TESTIMONIES
Have a testimony to share about how God has used Dr.
Beth to help you with your health problems? send us an
email! We'd love to hear from you!
contact us by e-mail at
bley@blpublications.com | |
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